02-09-2012, 03:58 PM
To be honest, I don't know why they even did this since the muzzle break on the AK74 already keeps the gun under control, although the muzzle blast and flash signature is unacceptable from a Western standard. Maybe they were hoping to eliminate the muzzle break, but there it is. Large muzzle flash = easy target acquisition for me.
The Ultimax and other US designs were an intentionally missed opportunity, since Belgium pinned their willingness to participate in the NATO licensed production of the F-16 on the FN Minimi. If at least 3 countries weren't on the bandwagon, it wouldn't have been financially viable for Norway and Holland, so they really needed Belgium. Belgium had us by the balls, basically, and we cowered. As a result, US soldiers suffer with POS known as the SAW to this day.
It will be interesting to see if the Russians start looking at the Grendel, because some of the Eastern European countries are looking at alternate calibers now...the Czechs, for example, in their quick-barrel change Bren 805 assault rifle (their improvement of the SCAR).
The Ultimax and other US designs were an intentionally missed opportunity, since Belgium pinned their willingness to participate in the NATO licensed production of the F-16 on the FN Minimi. If at least 3 countries weren't on the bandwagon, it wouldn't have been financially viable for Norway and Holland, so they really needed Belgium. Belgium had us by the balls, basically, and we cowered. As a result, US soldiers suffer with POS known as the SAW to this day.
It will be interesting to see if the Russians start looking at the Grendel, because some of the Eastern European countries are looking at alternate calibers now...the Czechs, for example, in their quick-barrel change Bren 805 assault rifle (their improvement of the SCAR).